Page 111 of Love is a Game

“Tuck, I’m not your project to streamline and upgrade and turn into a success. I have to accept what I am, and you need to as well.”

“And what’s that?”

I shrug, the weight of it sinking deep into my bones. “I’m not worthy of all that stuff, okay? I’m too irresponsible, too unorganized, too self-indulgent…kind of pathetic, actually.”

His eyes flash, anger cutting through the hurt. “Do you know how fucking mad it makes me to hear you say that shit?”

“The truth hurts.”

“Fuck’s sake, Pen.” He scrubs a hand down his face. “Is this about your business?”

I stiffen. “What?”

“You said last night your business is in trouble. We can do something about it, Pen. We can take a look at the figures and evaluate—”

“You mean you can take it over like you did last time? Absorb it into your empire?”

His head snaps back like I slapped him. “We’ve been through that. That wasn’t your company. You worked for her. And you refused to see how much she was stealing from you, taking your designs, never giving you credit. You needed a push. To go out on your own. To make the name for yourself you deserve.”

“And look where that got me,” I bite out, bitterness rising like bile. “It’s all about to go right down the drain. So, doesn’t that tell you something? You put all this faith in me like I’m worthy of it. But I’m not, okay? I’m not as capable as you want to believe I am. You should just stop.”

Tuck’s on his feet, pacing the lineup of potted plants like they’re silent witnesses to this travesty. He’s priming his debating arsenal—arguments locked, loaded, and ready for deployment. But I already know what he’s going to say. And I already know the demon inside me will revolt against every word.

If there’s one thing I’m good at, it’s tapping into my own patheticness. And now that I’ve found a voice for it, there’s no stopping it. I’m ready.

He turns to me. Eyes fierce.

And I get set for the next round.

But it doesn’t come.

His mouth dips. He slowly shakes his head. “Maybe you’re right.”

Something sharp and cold slices through me.

“I’ve played this game with you until I’ve got nothing left, Pen.” His voice is quieter now, the fight draining from it. “This week, I laid it all out there. I’m spent. I got nothing else in the tank. You want to double down on these feelings of unworthiness? Something from your parents? Your childhood? I think we can move past it. But you disagree. So where does that leave us?”

I drop my head.

“If I keep this up…?” He gives a defeated shrug. “Then I’m just as bad as you and all your self-sabotage. It makes me a masochist. I can’t keep banging my head against a brick wall.”

I lift my eyes.

“So you know what?” His gaze locks onto mine, something final behind it.

A slow exhale.

“You win.”

Chapter 33

Tuck

I see the call come through and quickly wrap things up with my PA.

“Sorry, Jen, gotta take this—”

“Sure thing. I’ll email the report you requested.”

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